The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 54

L. _Gal_. Tempt me no more! what dull unwary Flame Possest me all this while! Confusion on thee, [_In Rage_.

And all the Charms that dwell upon thy Tongue.

Diseases ruin that bewitching Form, That with the soft feign'd Vows debaucht my Heart.

Sir _Char_. Heavens! can I yet endure! [_Aside_.

L. _Gal_. By all that's good, I'll marry instantly; Marry, and save my last Stake, Honour, yet, Or thou wilt rook me out of all at last.

_Wild_. Marry! thou canst not do a better thing; There are a thousand Matrimonial Fops, Fine Fools of Fortune, Good-natur'd Blockheads too, and that's a wonder.

L. _Gal_. That will be manag'd by a Man of Wit.

_Wild_. Right.

L. _Gal_. I have an eye upon a Friend of yours.

_Wild_. A Friend of mine! then he must be my Cuckold.

Sir _Char_. Very fine! can I endure yet more? [_Aside_.

L. _Gal_. Perhaps it is your Uncle.

_Wild_. Hah, my Uncle!

[_Sir_ Charles _makes up to 'em_.

Sir _Anth_. Hah, my _Charles_! why, well said, _Charles_, he bore up briskly to her.

Sir _Char_. Ah, Madam, may I presume to tell you--

Sir _Anth_. Ah, Pox, that was stark naught! he begins like a Fore-man o'th' Shop, to his Master's Daughter.

_Wild_. How, _Charles Meriwill_ acquainted with my Widow!

Sir _Char_. Why do you wear that scorn upon your Face?

I've nought but honest meaning in my Pa.s.sion, Whilst him you favour so profanes your Beauties, In scorn of Marriage and Religious Rites, Attempts the ruin of your sacred Honour.

L. _Gal_. Hah, _Wilding_ boast my Love! [_Aside_.

Sir _Anth_. The Devil take him, my Nephew's quite spoil'd!

Why, what a Pox has he to do with Honour now?

L. _Gal_. Pray leave me, Sir.--

_Wild_. d.a.m.n it, since he knows all, I'll boldly own my flame.

You take a liberty I never gave you, Sir.

Sir _Char_. How, this from thee! nay, then I must take more.

And ask you where you borrow'd that Brutality, T' approach that Lady with your saucy Pa.s.sion.

Sir _Anth_. Gad, well done, _Charles_! here must be sport anon.

_Wild_. I will not answer every idle Question.

Sir _Char_. Death, you dare not.

_Wild_. How, dare not!

Sir _Char_. No, dare not; for if you did--

_Wild_. What durst you, if I did?

Sir _Char_. Death, cut your Throat, Sir.

[_Taking hold on him roughly_.

Sir _Anth_. Hold, hold, let him have fair play, and then curse him that parts ye. [_Taking 'em asunder, they draw_.

L. _Gal_. Hold, I command ye, hold!

Sir _Char_. There rest my Sword to all Eternity.

[_Lays his Sword at her Feet_.

L. _Gal_. Now I conjure ye both, by all your Honour, If you were e'er acquainted with that Virtue, To see my Face no more, Who durst dispute your Interest in me thus, As for a common Mistress, in your Drink.

[_She goes out, and all but_ Wild. _Sir_ Anth. _and_ _Sir Char, who stands sadly looking after her_.

Sir _Anth_. A Heavenly Girl!--Well, now she's gone, by George, I am for disputing your t.i.tle to her by dint of Sword.

Sir _Char_. I wo'not fight.

_Wild_. Another time will decide it, Sir.

[Wild, _goes out_.

Sir _Anth_. After your whining Prologue, Sir, who the Devil would have expected such a Farce?--Come, _Charles_, take up thy sword, _Charles_; and d'ye hear forget me this Woman.--

Sir _Char_. Forget her, Sir! there never was a thing so excellent!

Sir _Anth_. You lye, Sirrah, you lye, there's a thousand As fair, as young, and kinder by this day.

We'll into th' Country, _Charles_, where every Grove Affords us rustick Beauties, That know no Pride nor Painting, And that will take it and be thankful, _Charles_; Fine wholesom Girls that fall like ruddy Fruit, Fit for the gathering, _Charles_.

Sir _Char_. Oh, Sir, I cannot relish the coa.r.s.e Fare.

But what's all this, Sir, to my present Pa.s.sion?

Sir _Anth_. Pa.s.sion, Sir! you shall have no Pa.s.sion, Sir.

Sir _Char_. No Pa.s.sion, Sir! shall I have Life and Breath?

Sir _Anth_. It may be not, Sirrah, if it be my will and pleasure.

--Why how now! saucy Boys be their own Carvers?

_Sir Char_. Sir, I am all Obedience. [Bowing and sighing.